Dumb Mistake in Birmingham Post

[Tom Roche]

http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/post/tm_objectid=14413290&method=full&siteid=50002&headline=radio-promise-saves-car-thief-name_page.html

Radio promise saves car thief
Jul 10 2004

Birmingham Post


A member of a gang which stole high performance cars has been given a 
chance to prove himself after a judge heard he had promised to mend 
his ways on a national radio station.

Judge Alan Taylor was told Benjamin Barber had been interviewed about 
his criminal past by former Radio One DJ John Peel on his programme 
Home Truths.

William Rickarby, defending, said: "I have listened to the interview 
with John Peel and it is quite clear from what he says in the 
interview his attitude has changed. He does not want to be involved 
in crime." He said Mr Peel had sent him records to help him in his 
ambition to become a DJ himself.

Mr Rickarby said Barber, who has also appeared on a BBC documentary 
called Crime and Punishment, had turned his life around and was 
starting two courses, one relating to television and the other 
concerning radio presentation.

He said the main reason Barber's life had altered was his girlfriend, 
who was supporting him. If he was sent to prison it would destroy any 
progress he had made, he added.

As far as the offences he was involved in, he said, he had acted 
under pressure from others and his principle role had been as a 
lookout.

Barber (23) of Didgley Grove, Kingshurst, Birmingham, had previously 
pleaded guilty to charges of going equipped for burglary and 
attempted burglary.

Judge Taylor deferred sentence at Birmingham Crown Court for six 
months, saying he would normally have given Barber an immediate 
18-month sentence if it had not been for the fact there was evidence 
he was attempting to change his ways.



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